Benjamin J Vernia

Benjamin J Vernia

5.0
Rating: 9.7

Licensed for 33 years

Employment and labor Lawyer at Washington, DC
Practice Areas: Employment & Labor, White Collar Crime, Federal Crime, Internet

1455 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC

About Benjamin

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Employment and Labor 40%

Former Department of Justice trial lawyer who has well over one hundred False Claims Act cases. Represents whistleblowers as well as investigation targets. Experience also includes government employees in whistleblower retaliation cases.

29 years | 150 cases

40%
White Collar Crime 35%

Former federal prosecutor with experience in grand jury investigations. Prosecutions included mail/wire fraud, RICO, tax fraud, and Internet-related crime.

26 years | 45 cases

35%
Federal Crime 20%

Former federal prosecutor with experience in grand jury investigations. Prosecutions included mail/wire fraud, RICO, tax fraud, and Internet-related crime.

26 years | 10 cases

20%
Internet 5%

Former federal prosecutor with experience investigating Internet and computer crime. Have counseled Fortune 100 computer and Internet companies regarding compliance with federal privacy and data protection laws.

23 years | 17 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 335-480 per hour

Contingency

40%-40%

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in District of Columbia for 32 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 1994

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Michigan for 33 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 1993

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

The Vernia Law Firm

1455 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC, 20004

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Benjamin J Vernia's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

11 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (11) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Compassion

Posted by Laurie | November 22, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Professional, skilled, and compassionate

He literally saved the case. I found myself in a bind: headed to a notorious Circuit Court and the senior attorney I had hired had pawned my case off to a junior associate who had botched it all. In fact, we were weeks from submitting the brief and they were totally unprepared. I was given the na...me of Ben Vernia from successful attorneys in that circuit and called. Most folks aren’t interested in federal whistleblowers who did the right thing but aren’t likely to yield lots and lots of cash, but Mr. Vernia cared more about saving my dignity and preserving my case. Mr. Vernia got right to work on my case and impressed me in several important ways. He was transparent about his fees. He estimated hours in advance so I could plan approximate costs. This kept my anxiety and budget within control. Mr. Vernia was calm and compassionate. He listened to me. He was respectful. He helped me understand the process we would be engaging in so I could know what to expect. Mr. Vernia was skilled. He developed careful arguments and delivered them expertly. I was so impressed. I would happily employ him as an attorney in the future. He is a wonderful person and professional.

Posted by anonymous | November 15, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Litigation

Thankful for Ben Vernia

Ben Vernia is a professional, thorough, caring attorney who helped me through a multi-year, complex trial. I appreciated how how he kept me informed throughout the process and worked tirelessly to defend my case. Most importantly he believed in me. I am thankful to have had Ben on my team and would... highly recommend him for anyone seeking legal representation!

Posted by Kim | November 11, 2015 | Hired Attorney

Highly Recommended

Ben Vernia worked tirelessly for me- always keeping my best interest in mind. He has a brilliant legal mind- always one step ahead and very prepared. He always kept me informed every step of the way and was always very honest and upfront about the possible outcomes. If you are looking for someone yo...u can trust, to work hard on your behalf and walk alongside you during what is probably a very challenging time, I highly recommend Ben Vernia.

See All Client Reviews

Benjamin J Vernia's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Benjamin
Robert Kendall Platt headshot
Robert Platt

White collar crime lawyer | Dec 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have had the privilege of working with Ben for several years. His commitment to his clients, command of the law, and collegiality are second to none. Ben is a phenomenal attorney."

Cullen Michael Wojcik headshot
Cullen Wojcik

White collar crime lawyer | Dec 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked together with Mr. Vernia for several years on an extended and complex white-collar fraud case that included a multi-month federal trial. I could not endorse him more highly."

Timothy R Clinton headshot
Timothy Clinton

Consumer protection lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Ben is a phenomenal lawyer. Although he's a brilliant guy, he has a knack for stating arguments in a clear and unpretentious way. The combination of his keen intelligence with his calm demeanor and easy charm is killer. I give Ben the highest marks."

View All Endorsements
Timothy R Clinton headshot
Timothy Clinton

General practice lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.7 (Superb)

Honors

2014

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Pro Bono, District of Columbia Court of Appeals

2005

John Marshall Award for Outstanding Achievement in Litigation, U.S. Dept. of Justice

2005

National Missing and Exploited Children's Award, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Work Experience

2005 - 2009

Special Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP

2002 - 2005

Prosecuting Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Div.

1994 - 2002

Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Div.

1992 - 1993

Clerk to Hon. Thomas A. Wiseman, Jr., U.S. District Court, M.D. Tenn.

Associations

2017 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

American Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

United States ex rel. Griffith and Carver v. Conn, et al.

Judgment for the government and the whistleblowers. Three conspirators convicted and sentenced to prison.

United States v. Hazelwood, et al.

Client was acquitted on four counts, convicted on one (which is now on appeal)

State of Mississippi v. Cory Maye

Death sentence vacated; new trial granted. Plea to greatly reduced manslaughter charge accepted with time served.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1992

Vanderbilt University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1984

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

A.B

Speaking Engagements

2008

Symposium on Health Care Fraud Investigations

Negotiating Corporate Integrity Agreements in Case Settlements

Publications

2014

West Legalworks United States ex rel. Fox Rx, Inc. v. Omnicare, Inc. (N.D.Ga.)

2010

West Legalworks State v. Maye (Miss.)

2008

West Legalworks United States ex rel. Kaplan v. Metropolitan Ambulance & First-Aid Corp. (E.D.N.Y.)

2006

Legal Times Magazine Here's Your Story, and You're Sticking to It

2006

Pike & Fischer Audio Conference The Emerging Law of Search Engines

2006

International Association of Privacy Professionals National Summit Responding to a Subpoena: A Privacy Practitioner's Guide

2000

West Legalworks United States Ex Rel. Norbeck VS. Base Electric Power

1996

West Legalworks United States ex rel. Lamers v. City of Green Bay, Wisconsin (E.D. Wis.)

Languages

English

French

Activity

Avvo Rating

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